FaultScore

Worst years for a Lexus IS 300

Owners have filed 156 complaints about the Lexus IS 300 with NHTSA across model years 2001 to 2022. More of them are about the body & structure than anything else.

Avoid

2002 Lexus IS 300

37 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly acceleration & cruise control.

Cleanest on record

2004 Lexus IS 300

23 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Lexus IS 300 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2022 2 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2021 2 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2020 4 1 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2019 D 13 3 3 19,300 Other & Unspecified
2018 9 1 0 240 Fuel & Propulsion
2017 2 0 0 Suspension
2016 3 0 0 Electrical System
2006 1 0 0 Fuel & Propulsion
2005 6 0 0 109,000 Engine & Cooling
2004 C 23 3 0 58,400 Body & Structure
2003 D 25 7 1 50,300 Body & Structure
2002 F 37 9 0 40,000 Acceleration & Cruise Control
2001 D 29 8 3 66,350 Acceleration & Cruise Control

What breaks on a Lexus IS 300

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Body & Structure 22 14.1%

Worst in 2003

Acceleration & Cruise Control 18 11.5%

Worst in 2002

Other & Unspecified 18 11.5%

Worst in 2002

Suspension 14 9.0%

Worst in 2001

Transmission & Drivetrain 12 7.7%

Worst in 2002

Engine & Cooling 11 7.1%

Worst in 2001

Brakes 11 7.1%

Worst in 2002

Tires 11 7.1%

Worst in 2002

Airbags 9 5.8%

Worst in 2004

Fuel & Propulsion 8 5.1%

Worst in 2018

Electrical System 5 3.2%

Worst in 2001

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 3.2%

Worst in 2001

Wheels 5 3.2%

Worst in 2019

Steering 4 2.6%

Worst in 2001

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Lexus IS 300, by the month it reached NHTSA.

May 2001 peak 5 Jun 2023

Compare the Lexus IS 300

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.